Coming into the program I was excited to be joining and felt that it would be the best fit for my degree plan but also wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Having reached the end of the program I am certain that everything I have seen and done has far exceeded any expectations I could have had. We came to see first hand the ancient Maya history we had studied in class and observe the present of the Maya descendants. Guatemala and Belize became our classroom and the hands-on and in-person experience cannot be rivaled.
As a group we were able to experience so much in such a relatively short amount of time. We ate the local foods and sometimes were able to participate in the making of it. There was a lot of walking and climbing on our excursions that definitely payed off. We were able to see and hear a number of cultures coming together, both in Guatemala and Belize. Like the Maya, we were able to witness the Earth as a living thing. For me personally, even the smallest interactions with the people made for great memories.
Leaving was bittersweet, having come to think of these people and places as family and home while also looking forward to being back to my actual home. There was comfort in thinking that it can be I would come back someday and it will not be a permanent goodbye. I am thankful to the many people who welcomed us into their homes and work spaces and allowed us to see and participate in their way of life while sharing their knowledge. I am also grateful to Astrid, Alex, Catherine, and Mily for making this trip possible and enjoyable for everyone and having so much patience with these excited college students. The program was a life-changing and eye-opening experience that I could not recommend enough.
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